4.5. SR 10-20-1997ITEM 4.5.
y of
TO:
FROM:
Memorandum
MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
STEPHEN ROHLF & LAURIE
MEZERA-KERR
DATE:
OCTOBER 20, 1997
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENTAL UPDATE
ENERGY CITY
Tours - The initial Energy City tour, given on September 23, 1997, included the
business incubator and the Energy House. A number of Energy City companies
gave presentations at both locations. The next couple of tours will probably
include one for the general public of Elk River and one for interested members of
the Elk River School District. The demonstrations highlighted on the tours will
be catered to the target audience. Tours for industrial leaders from this country
and the world are in Energy City's future.
Grant - In August, Energy City was awarded a $25,000 SCORE grant by
Sherburne County. Grant funds are earmarked to introduce green products into
Energy City's demonstration sites. Green products are items that are made from
recycled materials, rather than conventional methods. The Green Products
Program will educate residents on what is available and how to use the materials,
as well as where the products can be purchased and how they can be financed.
The first green products workshop is scheduled for November.
School district - The Demonstration Subcommittee for Energy City has been
working with the Elk River School district to create an energy related curriculum.
There are some really exciting possibilities for the school district with Energy
City being located in Elk River.
The production and consumption of energy is by far the number one
environmental issue the world faces today. Peoples' attitudes towards this issue
must change, if we are to survive. Hopefully, the curriculum developed in Elk
River can be used as a model for other communities throughout the country.
Demonstrations - The landfill gas to electricity demonstration looks like it will
be a reality. The final details are being worked out and production of electricity at
the landfill should happen next summer.
13065 Orono Parkway · P.O. Box 490 · Elk River, MN 55330 · TDD & Phone: (612) 441-7420 · Fax: (612) 441-7425
The wind generator still needs a lot of negotiation to happen. However, the tax
incentives for this project are in place for awhile. Staff is still hopeful this project
will happen.
A solar wall demonstration is still proposed; possibly at one of the local schools.
The solar wall uses solar energy to preheat make-up air.
The Energy House is still open to the public and will be highlighted during
Energy City tours. Minnegasco is contemplating another energy house using
natural gas.
As things develop, staffwill update the Council on UPA's micro-turbine that is
proposed to generate electricity from methane gas at the city's waste water
treatment plant. This demonstration has potential for feedlots with large manure
lagoons.
The Demonstration Subcommitte for Energy City will be meeting with MnDOT
in November to discuss energy issues related to transportation. The topics will
range form the effects of the rerouting of County Road #13 to electric cars.
RECYCLING
Grant - Sherbume County's Solid Waste Management Committee recently
provided the City of Elk River with a $3,000 grant for educational recycling
materials. Funds will be used to buy magnetic calendars to help remind residents
which week they recycle. Residential refuse and recycling customer will receive a
magnetic calendar, along with a flyer on how items should be prepared for
recycling. These items will be mailed to residents in late November or early
December.
Parks - The Park Recycling Program is off to a good start. Next year, we expect
even better participation as more residents become aware of this service. During
the months of July and August, 600 pounds of recyclables were recovered from
City parks. To increase recycling tonnage for 1998, the program will begin when
the parks open for the season. Issues that will be addressed before next season,
include: enhancing public education and providing permanent cart locations in the
parks.
Composting - The Elk River Compost Site is expanding its hours of operation to
accommodate resident's fall clean-up activities. Additional hours include
Saturday, October 25, and Saturday, November 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Currently, the site is open every Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The site
will close for the season after Wednesday, November 19. Items accepted for
drop-off include leaves, grass clippings and other soft vegetative material.
Christmas Trees - As a service to Elk River residents, the City will provide
Christmas tree disposal on Saturday, January 3, 1998, and Saturday, January 10,
1998, from 8:00 a.m. to noon. Residents may bring their Christmas trees to the
Elk River Fire Station located at 415 Jackson Avenue. There is no charge for this
service, but the City requests residents bring a donation of a non-perishable food
item for the CAER food shelf.
OUTDOOR AIR QUALITY MONITORING
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has installed equipment on City Hall's
roof to monitor outdoor air quality. This is part of a state wide study to determine
the cause of an increase in sinus problems. The results from this study will not be
available for more than a year. Staff will update the Council when these results
are available.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION
One hundred and fifty vehicles passed through Sherbume County's Household
Hazardous Waste (HHW) collection event last month. This service is offered free
to residents in an effort to eliminate improper disposal of household chemicals. In
total, forty -- 55 gallon drams of household chemicals were collected, and
participation increased 27% over last year.
ORONO LAKE STUDY
The DNR has given permission to lower Lake Orono on October 154 through the
19th to aid in estimating volumes of materials to be removed with different
potential lake improvement projects. The final Lake Orono Sedimentation and
Water Quality Study as well as a recommendation on a lake improvement project
will be presented to the City Council at their December 15, 1997 meeting.
CODE ENFORCEMENT
Attached for your review, is the current status of code enforcement cases in the
City. Staff will be available to discuss any cases in greater detail.
OLD CITY DUMP
City environmental consultants, B.A. Liesch and Associates, tested the three
monitoring wells at the old city dump located in Hillside Park on August 20,
1997. In addition, four residential wells down gradient (to the southwest) of the
dump were tested.
This year's results were similar to past years. Contaminates were found in the
three city test wells and one of the residential wells. The levels of contamination
are below the "action limits" or at small enough levels that no corrective action is
required. The residence showing contamination is still using filtered water for
consumption.
No obvious trend in the contamination levels, up or down, can be discerned from
these test as of yet. Staff strongly recommends these wells are monitored again
next year.
CITY HALL AIR QUALITY
Staff members, especially on the administration side of City Hall have been
complaining of health affects they feel are associated with the building. The most
common complaints are dull headaches, nausea, stuffiness, and extreme fatigue.
Pat Klaers ask for a quote to have the indoor air quality at City Hall tested.
Attached is quote from the Institute for Environmental Assessment, the same
company that tested the Elk River Municipal Utilities building.
If this testing fines no health issues with City Hall the issue can be put to rest. If
there are health issues with the building we obviously need to know.
0ct-14-97 03:47P P.04
INSTITUTE
October 14, 1997
'Stephen Rolxlf t//~
Bttllding and Zoning Administrator
City of Elk River
PO Box 490
13065 Otono Parkway
Elk River, MN 55330
for ENVIRONMENTAL
ASSESSMENT
RE: Proposal for Air Sampling
Dear Mr. Rohlf:
Thank you for the opportunity of presenting this proposal for conducting air sampling at the Elk River
city Hall located at 13065 Orono Parkway and for the compilation of health symptoms that you provided.
The purpose of the sampling will be to evaluate potential occupant exposures to the following airborne
compounds:
· Nuisance dust (particulams)
· Mold
· Top tlgr~ volatile organic compounds (VOC)
· Carbon dioxide
· Cartmn monoxide '
After analytical rcsuRs arc received, we ~ll prepare and issue a report providing the following:
· Sampling methods and strategies
· Sampling n:suits
· Observations
· Conclusions
· Recommendations, if needed
The following ar~ the costs for providing this service:
4 nuisance dust samples at $20/sample
3 VOC samples at $90/sample
5-7 mold samples (air and possible contact samples)
TSI Q-Trak monier for carbon dioxide and
carbon monoxide
4 hours monitoring by technician at $55/hour
4 hours report preparation at $351hour
ESTIMATED COST
Travel time and mileage will also be directly billed.
$80
$270
$250-$350
$50
$220
$140
$1310-$1,I10
When rcady to proceed, please sign and mail or fax (535-9177) tim enclosed service agreement m my
attention.
If you have any questions mgm-ding this proposal, please do not hesitate to give me a call.
SincerelY. L_.-.----
Tim Froehtig
Sr. IAQ Investigator
Indoor Environments Division
........... ,e. ,-,, =,-.e_-~?~'~ wanmg"iR-cJRl3 ~:'AX ;612) 535-9177 A Minnesota CorJ~ration
Complaint Log
Case Resident Address Complaint Inspection Date Letter Sent Staff Involved Compliance Date Case Progress ~??~??~???~?~??~?~?~??~?~~~~??~???~?~????~??~?~?~
10/18/96 Business still being conducted on Car
95-30 Tail Wind Trailers 9784 Highway 10 Violation of CUP 9-Jan-96 Steve Ach ???? On-going Heaven site, little has been cleaned up.
Illegal 10/21/96 Council approved issuance of order requiring
95-31 James Charest 98xx Highway 10 grading/debris 18-Aug-95 18-Aug-95 Stephen Rohlf 30-Sep-95 On-going compliance by 11/21/96.
Lloyd Bartel & Larry Elk River Machine, 828 storage
95-33 Ebert - 4th Street NW screening Stephen Rohlf ???? On-going unlikely to be resolved
Gordy Model home on
95-59 Moldenhaurer Mississippi Oaks grading/drainage 5-Sep-95 Terry Zajac 11-Sep-95 On-going partially completed until second phase goes through
13690 - 186th Ave. Kendra Lindahl & 10/3/96 sent another certified letter to Ms. John asking
95-60 Marcella E. John NW Junk Cars/Debris 8-Sep-95 2-Oct-95 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 1-Nov-95 On-going her to clean up the property.
17710 Cleveland St. Junk Cars/No. of Kendra Lindahl &
96-42 M. Dietrich/M. Seals NW buildings 9-Aug-96 12-Aug-96 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 11-Oct-96 On-going 11/8/96 inspected site.
Noise complaint filed June 18, 1997. Trucks starting-
Unsightly/Debris/ Kendra Lindahl & up between 3:30-4:00 a.m. Spoke with property owner
96-52 Bonine Excavating 12669 Meadowvale Rd Noise 20-Sep-96 Laurie Mezera-Kerr On-going who will inform all tenants of the noise ordinance.
Public Nuisance Steve Rohlf &
96-56 Morrell Trucking 809 Jackson Ave. NW Issues Kendra Lindahl On-going
Riverview Sports & Steve Ach &
96-58 Marine 17445 Hwy. 10 vehicles in ROW Kendra Lindahl On-going
odor complaint at
the Lincoln Steve Rohlf & Greg 3/19/97 Greg site inspected the area and by the time
97-7 Morrell Trucking 809 Jackson Ave. school 3-Mar-97 Berg On-going he ardved the odor was gone.
Page I 10/17/97
Complaint Log
Case Resident Address Complaint Inspection Date Letter Sent Staff Involved Compliance Date Case Progress
by old Chrysler
97-10 Gressler Wholesale building tires & junk Steve Rohlf
Gordy unfinished
97-11 Moldenhaurer Mississippi Oaks backyard Terry Zajac see case # 95-59 (same case)
company burning
97-12 Morrell Trucking 809 Jackson Ave. something Steve Rohlf On-going
Goosing freon,
gas, oil & battery
97-19 Custom Motors acid Steve Rohlf review site
pipe into Elk
97-23 David Wahlroos 189th & Pascal River Steve Rohlf review site
Section 31, Township When crews are not busy public works will clean-up
i97-25 City of Elk River !33, Range 26. illegal dumping Phil Hals On-going site.
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Complaint Log
Case Resident Address Complaint Inspection Date Letter Sent Staff Involved Compliance Date Case Progress ii~iii~iii~iiiiii~iiii~iiiiiiiii~iiiii!iiiiii?iiiiiiii~!iiiii?~ii?~:~i~~ii~iii~iii~iii~iii~iii~ii!~iii~iii~iii~iiiiiii~iiiiii~iii~iiiiii?!~i~iiiiiiiii~iii~ii~iiiii~!
final date for
numerous barrels 5/16/97& compliance before
filled with oil 7/17/97 & legal action is sought Barrels are being removed from the site. The City has
97-30 Andy Williams 10176 213th Ave. filters 2-Jun-97 8/11/97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 8/18/97 On-going not received disposal receipts due 10/14/97.
east of Proctor North abandoned
97-36 Leonard Babinski of tracks house Cliff Skogstad
N. Nelson & abandoned the owner has demolished two of the three buildings;
97-37 S. Thompson PIN # 75-116-2201 mobile home 23-May-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 30-Jun-97 On-going ham still needs to be removed.
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Complaint Log
Case Resident Address Complaint Inspection Date Letter Sent Staff Involved Compliance Date Case Progress ~?~?~:~?~??~???~?~~~~??~:~:~?~??~:~???~??~:~?????????~
Arthur & Bernice Junk, debds and
97-52 Korthals 17379 Tyler Street junk vehicles 18-Jul-97 24-Jul-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 15-Aug-97 On-going property is still being cleaned-up
Building in
97-53 Dan Richman Holiday Gas Station disrepair Stephen Rohlf
:::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ~l::~::[[D~[[S~i[::i[ii::?: [~i~::~::?:i::i::i::i::iii[ii i~:i!i::i::i~:i[i~:iii[i[i[i[i[i[i:~i~i[iii::iii~i~i[i~iii[i[i::i::i::i~i[iii!i~:~[~::~i :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: !iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii?~iiii?????~i ~~i~i~i~ii~i~ii~ii~i~i~".t..'
Hohlen's - Elk Park site is still messy, but the property in the park is now
97-56 Terrace iunked equipment 12-Jun-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 8-Aug-97 On-going being mowed.
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Complaint Log
Case Resident Address Complaint Inspection Date Letter Sent Staff Involved Compliance Date Case Progress iiiiiii~i~i~?~i!~iiiiiii?~ii~iiiiiiiiiiii?~i~G~~iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!~iiiiiiiiiiiii
Site has been organized, but bigger issues such as
parking, equipment storage and providing a trash
97-59 Paul J. Krause Pineview Golf Course junk & debris 22-Aug-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr On-going enclosure still need to be addressed.
Tree debris has been cleaned up, but the fence is still
97-60 Elk Ridge Manor Freeport & School St. fence in disrepair 9-Sep-97 9-Sep-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr 24-Sep-97 On-going in need of repair.
Property is in foreclosure, working with previous owner
Country Crossings who will retain the property once it tums over. Spoke
Business Center & tall grass & with a member of the County Fair Board regarding the
97-65 County Fair Grounds Outlet B 75-575-0020 noxious weeds 26-Sep-97 Laurie Mezera-Kerr On-going weeds along their fence line.
well pits, required the-*. 1 well be secured & 1 capped, old mobile
Mrs. Biddick in the 10760 Brook hazardous home & contents removed, scrap metal etc. removed,
97-66 care of: Vida Meland Road/County Road 21 buildings 25-Sep-97 29-Sep-97 Laude Mezera-Kerr On-going general mowing & upkeep required.
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